Rising star and Khabib’s teammate, Islam Makhachev just made quick nights as he runs through Dan Hooker easily. Not only did Makhachev finish early but he also showed that he is more than ready to fight for the title next which is the winner of Charles Oliveira vs Dustin Poirier.
Islam started the fight relaxed and cautious because Hooker has a great knee strike that knocks people out. He then timed a hook to a takedown as Hooker was throwing a leg kick. Once he got Hooker down, there was not much thing to say other than Makhachev is just on another level in terms of grappling.
The way Islam controls Hooker was just suffocating to watch, Hooker just had no answer despite Hooker being aware of what Islam was going to do. That is the crazy part of the fight, Hooker was well aware that Islam was attempting to do a kimura but he wasn’t able to defend it.
Although Hooker was able to defend it for a short time, the way Makhhachev adjusts his positioning just ended the fight. Hooker did not tap but the fight was over. He might have contested with the referee’s decision but later accepted that Makhachev was the better fighter that night.
Obviously, Hooker is disappointed with the loss but there is no shame in losing to one of the best fighters in the division. Not only that but Hooker just fought the last month and took on this fight on short notice, in terms of his ranking and stocks, it certainly did not go lower. He is a true warrior.
As for Makhachev, he is certainly a special fighter. Khabib has said that Makhachev will be the heir to his throne. So far Islam has passed every test that has been put in front of him and is riding on a 9 fight win streak. It is likely that the only fight he will take is either title shot or title eliminator.
A great show stealer was a celebrity and fellow friend, Hasbulla who was also present at the event. He was rooting for Islam and was even present inside the Octagon after Islam’s dominant win.
